An influential figure in the development of American postmodernism has been lost after news that former Venturi, Scott Brown partner John Rauch passed away in Philadelphia last week.

Rauch was born and raised in the city and educated at Wesleyan University and UPenn before entering the profession following his service in the U.S. Army. He was an early champion of the work of his partner Robert Venturi and would, through their combined efforts under the then-moniker Venturi and Rauch, contribute to formative projects including the influential Vanna Venturi house and Fire Station #4 that defined the scope and trajectory of architecture for another thirty years.

The practice continued to evolve after the addition of Denise Scott Brown in 1969 and publication of Learning from Las Vegas in 1972. Rauch would again be instrumental in the selection of major higher-ed commissions for Yale, Princeton, and Ohio State University that further cemented the firm's reputation along with its continued “eclectic” innovations in the design of single-family private residences. 

John had a large personality, an ironic sense of humor, and a detailed grasp of the technics of architecture. But he was also an artist. — Denise Scott Brown

Rauch resigned from Venturi, Rauch and Scott Brown in 1987 and formally retired two years later, shortly before his former partner was named as the 1991 Pritzker Prize laureate (an award many consider to be tainted by Scott Brown's absence).

“John had a large personality, an ironic sense of humor, and a detailed grasp of the technics of architecture. But he was also an artist,” Denise Scott Brown, remembering fondly, shared with Archinect. “And when our prospects improved, he designed himself a new house, and he and his second wife chose a different life. But etched in my memory is the time when Bob, considering a recent birthday, announced: 'I'm 59 and still a failure,' and John, with a whoop, responded, 'And I'm an assistant failure!'”

Rauch enjoyed landscape painting in his later years and was remembered touchingly by his wife Carol Pfaff in the Inquirer as a “great companion” who had “a deep kindness in him.” He is survived by Pfaff, his sister, and five children. John Rauch was 91 years old.